Types of Roof Lights: Flat vs Dome vs Lantern vs Pyramid Rooflights Explained

Choosing between the different types of roof lights can feel overwhelming, especially when each design offers its own advantages. Flat rooflights, dome rooflights, roof lanterns, and pyramid rooflights all bring natural daylight into a space, but the right choice depends on your roof construction, budget, thermal performance, and the look you want to achieve. 

Having supplied roof glazing solutions for a wide range of UK residential projects, Skylights Roof Lanterns understands that no single rooflight suits every property.  

This guide compares the four main styles, explaining where each works best and the key factors to consider before making your decision. 

Understanding the Main Types of Roof Lights 

There are four shapes you will come across again and again: flat, dome, lantern and pyramid. Flat rooflights sit level with the roof for a clean, understated look. Domes bulge upward and are known for being tough and affordable. Roof lanterns rise up in a pitched, multi-pane structure that adds real drama to a ceiling. Pyramid rooflights sit somewhere in between, offering a striking shape without the full cost of a lantern. 

Flat Rooflights: The Minimal, Flush Look 

A flat rooflight sits close to the roof surface with barely a visible frame. It suits extensions, kitchens and loft conversions where a clean ceiling line matters most. Brett Martin builds this style with a focus on thermal performance rather than height. The frame stays slim and almost invisible from below. 

Our range includes the Rooflight Triple Glazed Self Clean, a strong entry point for anyone wanting flat glazing without a long wait. Flat rooflights need a small amount of roof pitch, usually between 2 and 15 degrees, so water can drain away properly. Made-to-measure options are also available for openings that do not match a standard size. If budget and a seamless finish matter more than a statement piece, this is usually the starting point. 

Roof Lanterns: The Architectural Statement 

If a flat rooflight is quiet, a lantern is the opposite. It rises above the roofline in a pitched, multi-pane structure and becomes a genuine feature of the room below. Roof lanterns work well over kitchen islands, dining tables and open-plan living spaces, where the ceiling becomes part of the design. 

The choice usually comes down to material and budget. The Wendland Roof Lantern is built from UV-stabilised PVCu with a fixed 20 degree pitch. Its strong ridge design uses fewer bars for a cleaner look at a sensible price. 

For a more premium finish, Brett Martin's aluminium lantern offers a powder-coated frame and better long-term rigidity. It suits upstand pitches up to 5 degrees, with a well-specified double-glazed unit as standard. 

Both frame types handle UK weather well, with drainage and thermal breaks built into the design to keep condensation under control. 

Choosing between the two comes down to one question: a structural statement piece, or the best value lantern that still looks sharp? The Brett Martin Roof Lantern leans toward the former, while Wendland leans toward accessible pricing without sacrificing style. Both carry a 10 year manufacturer warranty as standard. 

Dome Rooflights: Budget-Friendly and Practical 

Dome rooflights are the workhorse of the roof glazing world. Moulded from polycarbonate, they are lightweight, impact-resistant and typically the cheapest way to add daylight to a flat roof. They suit bathrooms, utility rooms, garages and commercial units where the priority is function over form. 

The Polycarbonate Rooflight Dome pairs a simple upstand fitting with a durable dome. It gives you daylight and weather protection without a large outlay. For anyone comparing options purely on cost, a dome is usually the most competitive choice on the table. 

Pyramid Rooflights: Light From Every Angle 

Pyramid rooflights use four equal-pitch panes that meet at a central point. This shape spreads daylight more evenly than a single flat pane of the same size, since light enters from four directions. 

They work well over square or near-square openings, such as hallways and stairwells, where even light matters most. Visually, this shape sits between a flat rooflight and a full lantern, adding interest without the extra cost. 

If you like a shaped rooflight but want costs closer to a dome, the Pyramid Skylights collection is worth a look first. 

Types of Roof Lights Compared at a Glance 

The table below pulls specification and suitability details straight from our product pages, so you can compare shapes side by side. 

Data pulled from the flat rooflight, dome, Wendland lantern, Brett Martin lantern and pyramid skylights pages on our website. 

Choosing on a Budget 

Budget is usually the first filter when weighing up the types of roof lights on offer. Domes and flush glazing sit at the lower end of the price range, making them the sensible starting point for smaller projects. Lanterns and pyramid rooflights ask for a bigger spend but return more visual impact. 

If you are torn between a flush flat rooflight and a full lantern, compare both against your actual room. Send us your roof opening size and we can talk through which shape suits your budget. 

Beyond price, think about how the space will be used. A kitchen island under a lantern feels dramatically different to a hallway lit by a flat pane, even at the same size. For more on how glazing performance affects running costs, our rooflight U-value guide is worth a read before you order.  

Building Regulations also set a ceiling on performance regardless of shape. Under Approved Document L, horizontal rooflights must not exceed a U-value of 2.2 W/m²K GOV.UK, Approved Document L. 

This limit applies whichever shape you choose, from a flat pane to a full lantern. 

Getting the Right Fit 

Every roof is different, and the right shape depends on pitch, room size and how much daylight you need. A survey before ordering avoids costly mistakes, especially with made-to-order products that cannot be altered once production starts. 

If you are still unsure which option suits your project, get in touch here for a quick, no-pressure chat. 

Conclusion 

Understanding the different types of roof lights makes it much easier to choose a solution that suits your home, budget, and design goals. Flat, dome, lantern and pyramid rooflights all bring daylight into a home, but each does it differently, at a different price point. Flush glazing and domes suit tight budgets and minimal finishes, without the cost of a raised structure.  

Wendland lanterns offer a strong middle ground, with a strong ridge and fair pricing for larger openings. Brett Martin lanterns and pyramid designs deliver the statement piece many extensions are built around, adding height and character overhead. 

Whichever direction you lean, get the pitch and sizing right first. Made-to-order glazing cannot be changed once production begins. If you would like help matching a product to your roof, call our team on 0204 538 3079. 

Frequently Asked Questions